Explorit to host concerts about food safety

“Food Irradiation,” “Clonin’ DNA” and “A Case of Norwalk” might seem like the topics for lectures rather than songs. However, visitors to Explorit on April 12 will get a chance to do some learning through music, as Dr. Carl Winter presents concerts on food safety.

Concerts will be at 2 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. at Explorit’s main site, 2801 Second St. In addition, there will be hands-on activities on digestion and nutrition available from 1- 2 p.m. and 3:15 - 4 p.m. The concerts and related activities are free with paid admission to the museum.

The concept of a concert on food safety might be a little hard to stomach for some, but Dr. Winter has a wide experience in this field. As director of UC Davis’ FoodSafe program, he has performed hundreds of concerts, distributed 20,000 CDs, and co-authored a paper on the effectiveness of including music in food safety curriculum. His program’s Web site, http://foodsafe.ucdavis.edu, contains songs, lyrics and animated music videos available for download.

Winter’s songs parody popular songs, with the lyrics modified to educate the audience on specific food safety concepts. For example, the songs from the first paragraph in this column parody “Do the Locomotion,” “Surfin’ USA,” and “Under the Boardwalk.” In this way, children and adults alike can learn important safe food-handling concepts in a way that is more fun and engaging than simply listening to a lecture. Songs will cover topics such as nutrition and food-borne illness as well as proper food handling and preparation techniques.

Check out these lyrics to “I Will Survive,” a parody of Gloria Gaynor’s classic, to get a sense of what visitors will experience on April 12:

“Oh no, not I
I will survive
Oh as long as I am careful with my food I'll stay alive
Cause I've got all my safety plans
I disinfect and wash my hands
And I'll survive, I will survive
Hey, hey”

Check out the FoodSafe Web site for more previews and information, and be sure to come see the songs performed live on Saturday. Remember: “Don’t Get Sicky Wit’ It” (Getting’ Jiggy Wit It) or you’ll miss the show.

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Explorit is also continuing registration for its popular Summer Science Camps. The deadline to register is April 14 to be included in random-drawing placement in camp slots. Remaining slots will become available May 1, but many camps fill up quickly. Camps are weeklong opportunities for students in entering preschool through 5th grade to learn about a variety of science concepts in a fun, hands-on way. Camps will be in session from June 16 – Aug. 22. A camp catalog is available for download at http://www.explorit.org. Printed catalogs are also available at Explorit’s main site during public hours, and at Explorit’s Mace Park Branch, 3141 Fifth St., weekdays from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

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Explorit Science Center has two exhibitions on display: “Move It! Science in Action” and “Go With The Flow… From Delta To Sea.” Admission is $4 general, free for teachers and ages 3 and under. The museum is open to school groups by reservation and to the general public from 2-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Explorit is at 2801 Second Street, Davis. For more information: (530) 756-0191